Convertible rack



B. M. WADKINS Oct. 2, 1934.

CONVERTIBLE RACK Filed April 11, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet, l

Afiomex a Oct. 2, 1934. B. M. WADKINS I 1,975,595

I CONVERTIBLE RACK Filed April 11, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

1 TY'YTY "T1 1 Patented Oct. 2, 1934 vi-TED OFFICE 1,915,595- "CONVERTIBLE RKCK Benin; waskin imuskegm HeightaJ/I icl i; QAppIication ApriI. 11,, 1932,, are; No. 6074,3456 roam-s.- (or. zit-a) This inventiomrelates generally to an article of furniture and more particularly to a convertible rack which may be moved so as to form a number of different articles.

Briefly described, the device consists of a central portion having two end portions hinged thereto and reinforcing or adjusting means extending between the two end portions. The end portions may be moved relative to the central .portion and locked in any one of a number of positions whereby the desired construction is obtained.

One of the main objects of my invention is to produce a structure which is capable of being used -for a number of different purposes whereby it will not be necessary to discard old structures or buy new devices to serve any one of the several purposes.

In the first place, my device may be arranged central body of the device, the bins facing upwardly.

In the second place, the structure just recited '1 ;may be inverted and a neat looking table with a smooth upper surface will be had.

Thirdly, one end may be locked in prolongation of the central portion of the table and the other end turned at the desired angle whereby a step ladder construction will be obtained.

Fourthly, the several parts may be linearly placed so as to serve as an ordinary ladder.

Fifth, one end may be extended in alinement with the central portion of the table and the other end turned downwardly to rest upon the floor, thus forming a sloping bin arrangement.

Thus it will be seen that my device is capable of being arranged and manipulated so as to form a great number of structures which are useful for a variety of purposes and objects and my construction is applicable to use both in the home and in the shop.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through my invention, such being taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a side view of my novel table.

Fig. 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates my invention when in position for use as a step ladder.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the locking plunger.

Similar numerals refer to throughout the several views.

Numeral indicates a flat piece of material,

similar parts such as veneer or-sheet. metal, having: flanges 11' extending downwardly therefrom as is best shown in Fig. 3. Partition members 12, see Figs. 1 and 2, extend between the flanges 11 and divide the structure into compartments or bins.

End members are pivotally connected to both ends of the central body portion, just described, by means of the hinges 21 and as these end members are substantially identical in construction, only one of them will be described.

A flat sheet of material is bent to form a right angle portion 22, see Figs. 1 and 2, this member extending between flat legs 23, the portion 20 thus serving to form an end member for the table when it is in the position shown in Fig. 2 and the portion 22 serving as a partition between the said leg members 23. Additional partitions 24 may be inserted above the partition 22. See Figs. 1 and 3.

A U-shaped strip is pivoted to the legs 32 immediately below the partition 22 as at 31 and a reinforcing member 32 extends from an intermediate point of the cross strip 30. The reinforcing strips 32 overlap one another and are adjustably maintained in the desired position by means of the clamping member 33.

Looking elements in the form of discs are fastened to and rigid with the flanges 11 and are notched as indicated at 41.

On each of the legs 23, immediately below the discs 40, casings 51 are rigidly attached as indicated at 52. Each of these casings contains a slidable plunger 53, see Fig. 5, which has a spring 54 urging the same outwardly and into engagement with the edge of the adjacent disc 40. A knob 55 provides for the withdrawal of the plunger when desired.

The utilization of my device will be obvious when the arrangement is as shown in Fig. 2, the device serving in the capacity of a table of any kind. Whenever it is desired to change from this structure, the clamping member 33 is loosened and the plungers 53 manually withdrawn by means of their knobs 55 and the several parts shifted to their chosen position.

Then the clamping appliance 33 is tightened, after the plungers 53 have been inserted into the corresponding notches, and the device is then ready for use.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations and elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States.

I claim:

1. In combination, a body portion formed of a flat element bent to channel shape, the corners of the flanges being cut away at an angle, partitions extending across said central body between the flanges of the said channel, end portions hinged to said body portion, said end portions having cut away corners adapted to abut against the previously mentioned cut away flanges when the end portions are in one of their extreme positions, and means for maintaining the several members in any chosen one of several predetermined positions.

2. In combination in a table, a rectangular body, a pair of legs at each of the two opposite edges of the body mounted on pivots which lie parallel to said edges so that the legs may swing through an arc of substantially 180 degrees from a position on one side of the top at substantially right angles thereto, to a position on the other side of the top at substantially right angles thereto, and means for releasably securing the legs in their two positions of adjustment.

3. In combination in a table, a rectangular body, a plurality of legs each pivoted to the body so that it may swing through an arc of substantially 180 degrees from a position on one side of the top at substantially right angles thereto, to a position on the other side of the top at substantially right angles thereto, and means extending between the legs in substantial parallelism to the body for releasably securing the legs in their two positions of adjustment.

4. An article of furniture comprising, a body having opposed surfaces of predetermined different constructions, members pivotally connected at opposite edges of the body whereby they may be swung to opposite sides of the body, means for releasably attaching each pivotal member in a chosen one of several positions and adjustable length means connected to and extending between the pivotal members for the purpose described.

' BERT M. WADKINS. 

